07-10-2020, 09:49 AM
LIVING WATER CAC DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Friday, July 10, 2020
GATES OF HELL
Read: Matthew 16:13-18
Matthew16:13-18 AMP: “Now when Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they answered, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or [just] one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of the living God.”
Then Jesus answered him, “Blessed [happy, spiritually secure, favored by God] are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood (mortal man) did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
And I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades (death) will not overpower it [by preventing the resurrection of the Christ].”
MEMORISE: Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21)
EXPOSITION
A "gate" is defined to be "...a large door or passage-way in the wall of a city. Figuratively, it is a means, or way of entrance, or exit."
Everyman/woman is a city, consisting of many things: life, properties, treasures, investments, etc. In all, human life is paramount. Entrance to these things involves certain things, or measures, either to possess, or destroy.
The Bible speaks of several things that are indirectly gates of hell. For example, fruit of the knowledge of good and evil brought death to humanity (gate of death) Genesis 2:15-17, fallen spirits called demons (Gen. 6:1-7) as gate of pollution. Also, graven images, witches and wizards, false prophets, evil cults, palm readers/star gazers, necromancers, etc. (cf. Exodus 20:1-5, 22:18; Leviticus 18:21, 20:1-6; Isaiah 8:19).
The most potent of all these gates, not yet mentioned is our tongues and sexual organs (Prov. 7:24-27; 18:21; cf. Jas. 3:1-6). The way we use these tools, or instruments, or members according to Paul, have a great impact on us, individually and the Church of God as a whole (cf. Mt. 16:16ff; 1 Cor. 5:1-8).
Another gate is the gate of righteousness through which we have entered the Kingdom of God. It must be intact and prevented from all forms of intrusion (cf. Isa. 26:3; Psa. 24:7-10). Christians as members of the body of Christ are built on, Christ, the rock, such that the gate of hell can never prevail.
If the gate of hell will not prevail over and against you, then, you need to become a member of the Church, the body of Christ, not just of a local church, but becoming a member of the true Church by giving your life to Jesus and living in His holiness by His Holy Spirit.
He who doesn't align with Christ's body isn't under the covenant of not being overcome by the gates of hell, which is for the Church built on the Rock of Ages.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Help me, Lord Jesus, not to let down my guard of holiness.
2. Help the Church of God, O Lord, to keep the gates of righteousness compact from intrusion of any gate of hell and hade, in Jesus' name.
3. O Lord, deliver our church leaders and leaders in other sphere of life who are already in the net of the devil.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Ezra 4 - 6; Titus 2
Friday, July 10, 2020
GATES OF HELL
Read: Matthew 16:13-18
Matthew16:13-18 AMP: “Now when Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they answered, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or [just] one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of the living God.”
Then Jesus answered him, “Blessed [happy, spiritually secure, favored by God] are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood (mortal man) did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
And I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades (death) will not overpower it [by preventing the resurrection of the Christ].”
MEMORISE: Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21)
EXPOSITION
A "gate" is defined to be "...a large door or passage-way in the wall of a city. Figuratively, it is a means, or way of entrance, or exit."
Everyman/woman is a city, consisting of many things: life, properties, treasures, investments, etc. In all, human life is paramount. Entrance to these things involves certain things, or measures, either to possess, or destroy.
The Bible speaks of several things that are indirectly gates of hell. For example, fruit of the knowledge of good and evil brought death to humanity (gate of death) Genesis 2:15-17, fallen spirits called demons (Gen. 6:1-7) as gate of pollution. Also, graven images, witches and wizards, false prophets, evil cults, palm readers/star gazers, necromancers, etc. (cf. Exodus 20:1-5, 22:18; Leviticus 18:21, 20:1-6; Isaiah 8:19).
The most potent of all these gates, not yet mentioned is our tongues and sexual organs (Prov. 7:24-27; 18:21; cf. Jas. 3:1-6). The way we use these tools, or instruments, or members according to Paul, have a great impact on us, individually and the Church of God as a whole (cf. Mt. 16:16ff; 1 Cor. 5:1-8).
Another gate is the gate of righteousness through which we have entered the Kingdom of God. It must be intact and prevented from all forms of intrusion (cf. Isa. 26:3; Psa. 24:7-10). Christians as members of the body of Christ are built on, Christ, the rock, such that the gate of hell can never prevail.
If the gate of hell will not prevail over and against you, then, you need to become a member of the Church, the body of Christ, not just of a local church, but becoming a member of the true Church by giving your life to Jesus and living in His holiness by His Holy Spirit.
He who doesn't align with Christ's body isn't under the covenant of not being overcome by the gates of hell, which is for the Church built on the Rock of Ages.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Help me, Lord Jesus, not to let down my guard of holiness.
2. Help the Church of God, O Lord, to keep the gates of righteousness compact from intrusion of any gate of hell and hade, in Jesus' name.
3. O Lord, deliver our church leaders and leaders in other sphere of life who are already in the net of the devil.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Ezra 4 - 6; Titus 2